Coastal Environmental Research Camp Attracts Seven International Students to WHOI

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September 19, 2001Students from Canada, Slovakia, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago are spending two weeks at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) participating in a research camp focused on coastal environmental research. The students won an international competition to participate in the camp, the first held in the United States.

Worldwide Young Researchers for the Environment (WYRE) is a joint initiative of Stiftung Jugend forscht, a German foundation for the promotion of young natural scientists and engineers, and Deutsche Bank in Germany, one of the world's largest financial organizations. The program aims to encourage the next generation of natural scientists and engineers and to strengthen the dedication of young people around the world to the environment by offering them an international platform for exchange and discussion through research competitions and camps. The annual international research camp has been held since 1992 at various locations in Europe.

In late 2000, WYRE invited some 140 promising scientists from more 70 countries to participate in the world championship for young environmental researchers at EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany. Participants, who had already won top honors at the national level, presented their projects on the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development. The winners were then invited to expand their school and university curriculum and experience in the natural sciences and technology by taking part in a hands-on, interdisciplinary research at the two-week international research camp at WHOI, being held September 10-21 and organized by Drs. John Farrington and Katherine Madin of the Institution's Education Office.

"We are very happy to have this opportunity to share our excitement about ocean research and discovery and the role of the oceans in making our planet habitable for humanity," WHOI Associate Director for Education and Dean of Graduate Studies John Farrington said. "Nature's secrets are not easily discovered: patience and persistence of effort guided by inspiration are needed. When the secrets are revealed, the intricacy and beauty of nature, the interactive aspects of nature's fragility and nature's resilience are awe-inspiring."

This year's research camp at WHOI, entitled "The Water's Edge: Coastal Environmental Research" is focused on two main projects: shellfish aquaculture on Cape Cod, and the interaction of the ocean and atmosphere at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory. Students spent most of last week conducting field research, and are now analyzing their data in the laboratory. They will present their results at a concluding colloquium September 21 beginning at 10 a.m. in Clark Laboratory, Room 507, on the Institution¹s Quissett campus. The colloquium and research presentations are open to the public.

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The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to research and education to advance understanding of the ocean and its interaction with the Earth system, and to communicating this understanding for the benefit of society. Learn more »